Leaving on a jet-plane

 I was dreading leaving the city.  I do miss family and work, but the trip had been an eye-opener.  I had thought that watching those games were quite unattainable and it was a real experience for me to actually accomplish my goals and tick my bucket-list.  Yes, coming on this trip also made it seem like another trip like this was possible in the future too.

I had planned to walk to walk south to see as much as I could (perhaps catch a glimpse of the Angel of the North and discover eateries along the way, but it proved to be an insurmountable challenge as I had not really planned it on the map and the distance would prove to be too much for me.  Some of the sights were picturesque, I tell you.  They seemed to be sights viewed on postcards.  After a lot more walking, I turned tail and went back to the Quayside where I had breakfast on the second day.

I enjoyed breakfast and even took a few photographs with the hosts there.  Being a Sunday, The Quayside saw more customers and I offered to share tables with strangers since I was alone.

I shared the table with Abdullah from Saudi Arabia.  We made small talk and I found out that he was twenty-six but was studying there as he was in the mining industry back home and was there to learn about the subject.  I had finished my meal earlier and bade him goodbye, planning to browse souvenirs at a shop in the corner.  There were ten minutes before it did but along came Abdullah.  He was walking back to his apartment and invited to me to join him.

Why not?  I cast fears of being robbed aside and bravely took a walk with him.  His apartment was right in the city centre and there, I sat with his apartment-mate and friends from his homeland.  They were very welcoming and we chatted as Abdullah invited me to try Arabian coffee and tea.  I stay for a bit and went back to the souvenir shop.

Before I knew it, I was checking out from the hotel.  Being a three-star hotel, the place did not have fantastic amenities.  There was no wardrobe in the room and I did not find a telephone to call the front desk if I needed to.  However, the fantastic location of the place and the warmth of the staff made up for it and I was happy with the place of my stay.

I took the metro back to the airport and I left with a heavy heart.  I was not sure if I was going to be back but it had been a wonderful city which had many welcoming people.  Perhaps, I will find an excuse to return in the future?  Ta-at for now, Newcastle upon Tyne!